The Book of the Lion Principles Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Chapter, Paragraph

Quote #1

I stretched my arms and legs with great difficulty, the chains even heavier than before. For all the qualities of my master Otto—his welcoming smile, his gentle laugh, and his store of Frankish phrases—he had one sure defect.

He had cheated the king. (2.29-30)

Edmund really struggles with a moral dilemma here. He loves his master, but even though Otto has all of these good qualities, he is still dishonest. Cheating the king and stashing wealth for himself meant that he wasn't being an honest member of society.

Quote #2

"I'm making a mistake, I am afraid before the saints. I'm making a terrible mistake to let a thief's apprentice sit at my table. But it is a blunder I am making with my eyes open." (4.18)

Sir Nigel voices his worry that taking on the apprentice of a thief reflects badly on him. It's all about the company you keep, and people—nay, the freaking saints—might question Nigel's principles if he fraternizes with Edmund. Nigel takes Edmund on anyway, though, which shows that one of his principles is taking a risk on people who desperately need some help.

Quote #3

I had never drawn a breath which was not owed to my father or my master, and now I was indebted in all ways to my new lord, the knight. As I walked I felt the long leash tighten around my neck, my deceit. (5.24)

Because he's so aware of morals, Edmund feels awful when he does something wrong—when he runs away from Nigel, he describes his deceit as a rope around his neck. Not sticking to sound principles makes Edmund feel almost as if he's choking.